자경주의 현상의 원인과 한계: 존 로크의 자연상태이론에 비추어

Reason and Limit of Vigilantism: In the Light of John Locke’s Theory of the State of Nature

This paper aims to discuss the reason for and the limit of vigilantism in the light of the theory of the state of nature by John Locke, a philosopher of classic democracy, after defining a vigilance committee or group as a civil organization with its private norm and well-ordered system. As for a research method, the second chapter introduces the preceding study about vigilantism, illuminating the tendency of the discourse around the topic, and producing the points to study more. The third chapter discusses the aspect of vigilantism based on John Locke s theory regarding the state of nature. Lastly, I conclude the reason that vigilantism, not appreciated so much as needed, happens in the real situation as in the Teachers Labor Union, originates from the democratic doctrine meaning sovereignty vested in the people. Besides, the research of the Korean vigilantism leaves the future work to do in how to distinguish the voluntary movement from the public authority, considering its relationship with civilian cooperation groups of local police.